A web surfer has been jailed for plotting to kill his adoptive parents with the help of a pal he met on the internet.
Christopher Monks, 24, wanted his parents dead because he thought they were over-protective, Preston Crown Court heard.
Monks enlisted Shaun Skarnes, 19, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, to attack the couple in their family home at Chorley.
His father, Christopher Monks snr, survived the attack along with his wife Elizabeth and the couple were in court to support their son.
The plotters pleaded not guilty but a jury convicted them both on charges of conspiracy to murder the elderly couple.
The Monks believe their son is not guilty since he suffers from an "autism spectrum disorder" and has difficulty in separating fantasy from reality.
On the internet Monk jnr had told Skarnes his parents were "a disgrace" and kept him "trapped in a cage".
The pair meticulously prepared the killings via messaged they exchanged after meeting online in November 2008.
In one message, Monks wrote to Skarnes: "So you are willing to kill. Just I cannot do my parents."
Skarnes replied: "Yes, I am."
The pair did not meet in person until 7th February when Skarnes visited the house in Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods.
He later pretended the leave, but waited outside. Monks and his parents sat down together with a takeaway to watch a DVD.
Monks waited for them to go to bed, and texted Skarnes to return.
Skarnes crept into the bedroom with a knife handed to him by his accomplice, but was foiled when Mr Monks woke up.
The pair struggled from the bedroom into another room across the hallway where Skarnes tried to stab him as he struggled to defend himself.
Mrs Monks, who had fallen asleep downstairs, was awoken by the shouting and struggle.
She ran upstairs, hit Skarnes and helped to prevent him inflicting serious injuries.
In defence, both men argued they were acting as part of role play and that the episode was complete fantasy.
Professor Digby Tantam, a consultant psychiatrist and autism expert, said he believed the defendant had an autistic spectrum disorder which could impair his understanding on the outcome of actions and the feelings of others.
Skarnes said he was "astounded" and "shocked" to receive the knife but said he thought Monks was "pushing the role play along to see my reaction".
Skarnes, of Sutton Way, Great Sutton, Cheshire, said he was trying to keep the knife away from Mr Monks and denied lunging at him.
Monks and Skarnes were both remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the High Court in London at a later date.
Detective Inspector Marc Nasser, who led the investigation said: "This has been a testing investigation for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service due to its technological aspects and the sensitive nature of the content found detailing plans to kill Monks’ parents and their subsequent actions.
"The case demonstrates how certain crimes can evolve over time with technology, and that we have the resources, capability and commitment to gather electronic evidence to prosecute offenders and safeguard the public.
Chief Inspector Andy Murphy, of Lancashire Constabulary, added: "From the outset this was a difficult case to investigate due to the close relationships of the people involved.
"I appreciate that this has been an incredibly difficult period of time for Mr and Mrs Monks. However, I am very pleased with the verdict. This was an extremely serious crime which ultimately could have ended in tragedy."
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